about

Science and Technology Studies (STS) is an interdisciplinary field that advances historical, philosophical, and social scientific understandings of science and technology. Rensselaer’s STS Department is internationally known for its global reach, theoretical breadth, and ethical engagement. Faculty and students conduct research around the world, drawing widely on social, political, and literary theory. The Department has particular depth in environmental studies, social studies of health and medicine, and design studies.

Rensselaer’s STS faculty play leading roles in the [|Society for Social Studies of Science], the main professional organization representing the full breadth of STS scholarship. Rensselaer’s STS faculty are also well recognized in disciplines ranging from anthropology, history, and philosophy to psychology, political science, and sociology, and they are active in a wide range of disciplinary organizations such as the [|American Anthropological Association], the [|American Sociological Association], and the [|Society for the History of Technology.]

Building on the faculty’s diverse disciplinary perspectives and deep interdisciplinarity, the graduate program enables research into questions and problems extending beyond the boundaries of any single discipline. Our graduates produce new understandings of science and technology that can be translated into improved scientific and technological practices and policy outcomes. Alumni of Rensselaer’s STS program are known for their intellectual vitality, collegiality, and commitment to social justice issues.